It was a Roaring 20s theme at this year’s Founders’ Dinner, hosted by Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep, and why not? The school is “roaring” into its 20th year, at the start of next academic year.
(L-R) Br. Rob Robertson, Christina Dippold, Marlene Eby, Br. Michael Gosch and Jim Dippold (Photos by Trevor Brody)
Preston Kendall, President of the school, described the milestone as a significant anniversary of when the school first opened its doors in Waukegan back in August 2004.
“As we enter our 20th year, there is plenty to roar about,” Kendall said. “College acceptances are pouring in for our class of 2024 and we have already hit the milestone of being the fifth year in a row of having 100% of seniors accepted to at least one bachelor’s degree program.
“CRSM again leads the entire Cristo Rey Network of 40 schools,” he added, “in student retention, college acceptance and college enrollment.”
Cristo Rey officials hold their Founders’ Dinner every year in order to recognize the large community of supporters who helped not only start the school, but sustain it. And that includes the religious communities who endorse the school.
Preston Kendall talks to one of the supporters.
Count the Viatorians as one of them. They have been an endorsing community of the school since it opened in 2004, and have served on its faculty and staff, in administration and on its board of trustees.
“Our success has always been a team effort,” Kendall said, “a collective success resulting from the hard work and generosity of so many people. We couldn’t do it without you!”
CRSM now turns its attention to the next 20 years, which they describe as a “future full of promise and hope for the next generation.”